And TripTrip I feel you on rent. It's about 4 times what I pay at home. I died a little inside when I saw the numbers. I have a feeling I'll also be paying a premium for food.

I am hoping to hit up the farmer's market and I hope it is substantially cheaper than the supermarket. There's supposed to be one in Central Square, which is about a mile away from Harvard Square. As someone who grew up entirely on supermarket veggies and meats, I only experienced the joys of farm-raised food these past two years. I'd hate for that joy to end so quickly.

And TripTrip I feel you on rent. It's about 4 times what I pay at home. I died a little inside when I saw the numbers. I have a feeling I'll also be paying a premium for food.

I am hoping to hit up the farmer's market and I hope it is substantially cheaper than the supermarket. There's supposed to be one in Central Square, which is about a mile away from Harvard Square. As someone who grew up entirely on supermarket veggies and meats, I only experienced the joys of farm-raised food these past two years. I'd hate for that joy to end so quickly.

Yes I'm definitely on the hunt for decent food. Paying for organic/local will probably be insane. I found a place to get eggs (you do have to drive out there) and they're like $6 a dozen (otherwise known as twice as much as at home). I'm afraid to see how much organic dairy is. I'll be curious if heading to the source is much cheaper than buying at grocers. In my experience, heading right to the farmer is better, but I have a feeling I won't have time. I hope the whole foods bulk section is as awesome as the one in Charlottesville that I got attached to.

Thought I'd offer some housing advice since I live a 20 minute walk from HLS now (but am sadly leaving for DC since HLS didn't want me). I recommend Inman or Porter Square. Also, look at the Somerville apartments near the cambridge border. Don't forget the bus system either. For example, I live a gorgeous 25 minute walk or a 5 minute ride on the 69 bus (which comes every 20 minutes or so during the day.) If you are going to try living off the T make sure its the red line and don't live past Kendall.

If you look hard, you can find something nice. I live in a beautiful 2 bedroom, yoga studio floors, back yard, driveway, and laundry for $1500 a month.

But yeah, its way more expensive than Chicago but nothing compared to NY, SF, or as I'm discovering DC. However, I love the area. Its diverse, beautiful (people keep really interesting front lawns), and has great food. Perhaps I'll follow up with a where to blow all of your walking around money on food post.

definitely second inman square. i live there now and it's a t stop away from harvard (well i have a 10 min walk to the T) or i just hop on the bus for 5-7 mins. one of the best things about going to H is now i don't have to move...

mickeysevenn wrote:Anyone have any thoughts on living alone v. opting for roomies? Not gonna lie, I like my space. But I also like not being broke.

Told myself I'd rather not have the stress of roommate conflict, which might be especially likely with a random rooomate considering I don't know anyone in the area. I'll take the monetary hit first year and save money next year when I've been acquainted with people and can make a more knowledgable roommate decision. Also, I'm living close to campus because I'm not trying to stress about commuting. Maybe next year I'll be more comfortable living further. I mean, my weekly allowance left over after rent is something I'm very comfortable with... Though I've not experienced the increase costs in groceries and the like. Oh well... It's only nine months.

mickeysevenn wrote:Anyone have any thoughts on living alone v. opting for roomies? Not gonna lie, I like my space. But I also like not being broke.

Told myself I'd rather not have the stress of roommate conflict, which might be especially likely with a random rooomate considering I don't know anyone in the area. I'll take the monetary hit first year and save money next year when I've been acquainted with people and can make a more knowledgable roommate decision. Also, I'm living close to campus because I'm not trying to stress about commuting. Maybe next year I'll be more comfortable living further. I mean, my weekly allowance left over after rent is something I'm very comfortable with... Though I've not experienced the increase costs in groceries and the like. Oh well... It's only nine months.

Yeah that makes a lot of sense. I'm guessing it would be easier to reduce housing costs in years 2 and 3, because right now I'm just trying to live somewhere I'll feel comfortable and not completely overwhelmed. Now if I could only find a close place! Gahhh.

Those who are required to take out that $15k in GradPLUS or a private lender... Have you looked into private lenders at all? I believe I could probably benefit from a private loan, but the amount of options is overwhelming and maybe someone else is in a more knowledgable position..

Searchparty wrote:Those who are required to take out that $15k in GradPLUS or a private lender... Have you looked into private lenders at all? I believe I could probably benefit from a private loan, but the amount of options is overwhelming and maybe someone else is in a more knowledgable position..

I did, and I think they're a much better option than Grad Plus in my case. Happy to discuss if you want to PM me

read2465 wrote:These loan numbers and calculators are scary. I was fortunate enough to not have to deal with any of this for undergrad, so it's all new.

+1. My anxiety is intensified by the fact that I still don't even have my loan package. In fact due to my dad's computer being in the shop, I won't even have all the forms turned in for two more days. There's no way I'll have my package before my second deposit is due at UVA. I would like to know I'm gonna be able to afford harvard before I give up a huge scholarship.

read2465 wrote:These loan numbers and calculators are scary. I was fortunate enough to not have to deal with any of this for undergrad, so it's all new.

+1. My anxiety is intensified by the fact that I still don't even have my loan package. In fact due to my dad's computer being in the shop, I won't even have all the forms turned in for two more days. There's no way I'll have my package before my second deposit is due at UVA. I would like to know I'm gonna be able to afford harvard before I give up a huge scholarship.

Luckily they publish their financial aid formula - it's entirely transparent so you can make an excel sheet and figure it out on your own before it's "official." Just get all the numbers together and check this out: http://www.law.harvard.edu/current/sfs/ ... index.html

read2465 wrote:These loan numbers and calculators are scary. I was fortunate enough to not have to deal with any of this for undergrad, so it's all new.

+1. My anxiety is intensified by the fact that I still don't even have my loan package. In fact due to my dad's computer being in the shop, I won't even have all the forms turned in for two more days. There's no way I'll have my package before my second deposit is due at UVA. I would like to know I'm gonna be able to afford harvard before I give up a huge scholarship.

Luckily they publish their financial aid formula - it's entirely transparent so you can make an excel sheet and figure it out on your own before it's "official." Just get all the numbers together and check this out: http://www.law.harvard.edu/current/sfs/ ... index.html

So helpful! Thanks. Now I wish I checked this thread before sending them an email asking about it.

On another stressed out financial note, I just calculated my cost of visiting and securing an apartment and it came out to EXACTLY the number in my bank account. If I don't eat at all during those days. So basically, which one of you guys will adopt me until school starts?

Last edited by Eichörnchen on Wed May 29, 2013 12:00 am, edited 1 time in total.

broadstreet11 wrote:Does anyone off the waitlist have access to the housing portal yet? I want to try to sign up for Gropius, but I can't get in to see if anything is available.

There's a couple spots left in both Gropius and Hastings. New rooms open up daily, and I'd imagine they'll be a lot opening up this week given that the deadline to withdraw from housing without a $500 penalty is May 31st.

broadstreet11 wrote:Does anyone off the waitlist have access to the housing portal yet? I want to try to sign up for Gropius, but I can't get in to see if anything is available.

No luck here. I called HLS today about setting up a PIN and they said because I was newly admitted the system wouldn't recognize me until maybe tomorrow (even though I received my Harvard email today). Maybe it's the same deal with housing?

broadstreet11 wrote:Does anyone off the waitlist have access to the housing portal yet? I want to try to sign up for Gropius, but I can't get in to see if anything is available.

There's a couple spots left in both Gropius and Hastings. New rooms open up daily, and I'd imagine they'll be a lot opening up this week given that the deadline to withdraw from housing without a $500 penalty is May 31st.

Is that so? Anyone wanna reserve a 2BR in Hastings for me? Kidding........kinda sorta not really.

Eichörnchen wrote:On another stressed out financial note, I just calculated my cost of visiting and securing an apartment and it came out to EXACTLY the number in my bank account. If I don't eat at all during those days. So basically, which one of you guys will adopt me until school starts?

+1

The flight won't cost me much on account of frequent flyer miles, but good lord the cheapest hotels are close to $200/night. I think I might put a tent in my carry-on.

broadstreet11 wrote:Does anyone off the waitlist have access to the housing portal yet? I want to try to sign up for Gropius, but I can't get in to see if anything is available.

There's a couple spots left in both Gropius and Hastings. New rooms open up daily, and I'd imagine they'll be a lot opening up this week given that the deadline to withdraw from housing without a $500 penalty is May 31st.

Is that so? Anyone wanna reserve a 2BR in Hastings for me? Kidding........kinda sorta not really.

Yeah, I think some rooms will open up as well. I have a spot in Hastings that I will be giving up as soon as I get some confirmation from HUH about my lease. Due to the short turnaround given to me by HUH in turning in my lease, I just want to be sure I have a place before giving up my room.

Also, when I checked the dorms on HLS Housing, a couple rooms were free. One apartment (1637 Mass. Ave.), 3 rooms in Hastings, 3 rooms in Story Hall.

There were very few places left in HUH as of around 4 pm EST, only 20. Of those, close to half (Prescott) have leases ending in January in order to accommodate displaced undergraduates. The inventory list is only accurate at the time it was posted, but better then nothing I guess.

Eichörnchen wrote:On another stressed out financial note, I just calculated my cost of visiting and securing an apartment and it came out to EXACTLY the number in my bank account. If I don't eat at all during those days. So basically, which one of you guys will adopt me until school starts?

+1

The flight won't cost me much on account of frequent flyer miles, but good lord the cheapest hotels are close to $200/night. I think I might put a tent in my carry-on.

I haven't used my backpacking gear in a while...urban camping party? No wait! I'm driving and still have a van I lived out of for a huge road trip. Now that would be the classy way to do it.